Between present and past. Juventus-Napoli, the big match of this Saturday in Serie A, combines the importance of the top-of-the-table challenge with a tangle of contrasting feelings: the reason, evidently, is only one and it is called Antonio Conte, a link between two worlds who couldn't be further apart and who, since July, have had his figure in common. The coach, as we will see shortly, certainly didn't hold back, ending up reiterating his long-standing Juventus affiliation even in front of the new fans, and yet the welcome that the Stadium will reserve for him is yet to be discovered.
Juventus – Napoli (18pm, Dazn)
Conte attracts media attention and not, but Juventus-Napoli is also much more. First of all, it is a possible championship challenge between two teams that have significantly strengthened during the summer transfer market, as well as being quite convincing in this first part of the championship. The Bianconeri had started better, then recorded a decline by drawing with Roma and Empoli, while the Azzurri started badly in Verona, but from then on they have only won.
Conte's team arrives at the Stadium with a one-point advantage and an empty week, in which they have been able to prepare only and exclusively for this challenge, that of Thiago Motta instead it is coming back from the European efforts against PSV, but paradoxically it was the Champions League that gave it new strength, extinguishing the principle of negativity born after the 0-0 at the Castellani. The Lady then rediscovered Star, author of a splendid goal that ignited the imagination of the fans: the comparison with Del Piero, also fomented by newspapers and TV, is certainly risky, but it gives an idea of how the Turk manages to warm the hearts of the public and critics.
Juve is still an open construction site, with Motta in the role of the engineer who has to find the right balance, while Napoli has more or less the same players as last year, with the exception of two big names like Lukaku and Buongiorno, in addition to the other new signings left on the bench (but that's another story). So far, in short, Conte seems to be a step ahead of his colleague, but not so much as to be considered the favorite: the Stadium will be boiling with passion, ready to push Juve to a victory that would send a huge signal to the entire championship.
Thiago Motta: “Napoli deserves the Scudetto! Conte? It’s not a challenge between me and him”
"It's going to be a great match with strong players on the pitch – explained Thiago Motta -. We will face it with great seriousness and responsibility, respecting the opponent and playing our football. Napoli recently won the championship in an incredible way, with a good game also in Europe. They are really strong, then there have been some changes but it is to aim for the championship already this year, we know we are facing a quality team. We have to work as a team with or without the ball, with generosity even in pressing, being a solid block and not leaving spaces between the lines because Napoli has many players who know how to do it very well. We will try to bring the game to what we like to do and not to what they like to do. Count? It was a great pleasure working with him, we had a great European Championship and we went out against a very strong team, our relationship has always been fantastic, but this is not a challenge between me and him".
Conte, message at the Stadium: "No one can erase my history in black and white"
“We hope it can be a challenge that counts for something both for them and for us, it's still too early to say now – Conte glossed over it -. Let's start from different starting levels, compared to last year there are 18 points to recover, but surely both teams will want to get their revenge. We are all looking for the right balance, but there is also the need to see good performances and get points, because these are worth at the end of the year. I expect to give continuity and grow from many points of view, not to stop to think about what the last match was and not to delude ourselves because every time for us it is a test, an exam. The emotion of returning to the Stadium? I am part of Juventus' history for what I have done and given, it is inevitable that as a footballer it is easier, you can also choose to stay forever, as a coach instead it is very difficult, impossible that you are the one to decide your career. Today I have the immense pleasure of coaching a team like Napoli, for me who am from the south it is pride and satisfaction. There will be great emotion in returning to that stadium, it will be forever as well as when I face Napoli in the future, I hope in many years”.
Juventus – Napoli, probable formations
Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Bremer, Cambiaso; Locatelli, McKennie; Nico Gonzalez, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic
On the bench: Perin, Pinsoglio, Danilo, Rouhi, Cabal, Savona, Beans, Douglas Luiz, Thuram, Adzic, Weah, Mbangula
Trainer: Thiago Motta
Unavailable: Milik, Conceicao
Disqualified: Pogba (until 2027)
Naples (3-4-2-1): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Good Morning; Mazzocchi, Anguissa, Lobotka, Spinazzola; Politano, Kvaratskhelia; Lukaku
On the bench: Contini, Caprile, Juan Jesus, Marin, Olivera, Gilmour, McTominay, Neres, Simeone, Ngonge, Raspadori, Folorunsho
Trainer: Tale
Unavailable: None
Disqualified: None
